Ministers will divert billions of pounds from hospitals to GPs to "fix the front door to the NHS", Wes Streeting has pledged as he said millions of patients will be able to see the same family doctor at every appointment.
The health secretary's first major policy announcement came as he prepared to begin vital talks with junior doctors today, aimed at finally ending the strikes that have crippled the health service since 2022.
Less than 10% of the £165bn NHS budget in England is spent on primary care, a share that has been falling, despite record high demand at GP surgeries. In a significant policy shift, Streeting yesterday said he would reverse that trend - and boost the proportion of the budget for primary care so patients could access help sooner.
More than 5 million patients a month in England are waiting longer than a fortnight for a GP appointment despite the previous government's promise that everyone would be able to get one within 14 days.
"Patients are finding it harder than ever to see a GP," said Streeting after visiting a GP surgery on Abbey Road in north-west London. "Patients can't get through the front door of the NHS, so they aren't getting the timely care they need.
"That's no surprise, when GPs and primary care has been receiving a smaller proportion of NHS resources.
I'm committed to reversing that." Improving access to family doctors was key to easing the wider crisis across the NHS and reducing pressure on hospitals, Streeting said.
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